This is the first video I've found that actually goes through the full editing process, including changing settings and normalizing! Thank you so much!
Rather than stopping and interrupting the flow of the read and expending more time to correct what is inevitable to be a LOT of goof-ups, I purchased a dog training Clik-R for $4 at the local Tractor Supply (similar is available at any number of stores from Walmart to Amazon), and while I am reading, when I stumble on a passage, I stop, give a brief amount of silence, click the clicker, then read the sentence again. When you finish recording that passage, it is trivial to look at the wave-form of the recording and identify the click visually. Then you just delete the mistakes (and clicks), leaving only the corrected parts. Also cannot recommend Waves NS1 enough for killing ambient noise and taking the noise floor way down. Works great in Audacity.
I've done clicks in the past. They are a great option to visually see mistakes in the waveforms. If this system works faster/better for you, then go for it! Thanks for the advice!!!
Thanks you so much for mentioning this method. I tried the method from the video and after several chapters I took several days to even a week or so to edit just one chapter... I tried improvising by reading everything at once and then editing out the mistakes, but that was still long and tedious cause I had to play each line to see which one had the goof ups. Now I just recently used your method by clapping my hands(like one reply mentioned) and what then took days can now be done in less than an hour.
Ditto on ghostfrequency's comment. You just saved me money because after repeatedly trying to figure out what I needed to know to use Audacity for V.O., I always felt overwhelmed by it's complexity. You showed me what I needed to know, without giving me lots of info which is irrelevant to the needs of someone looking at getting into the V.O. business. They say that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. And here you are. Thanks.
I love to read out loud as if someone is listening n i also record while reading. i found out that this actually is a job..i was like wow something i really love to do can become a job for me..I became interested in this 4years now but i was never brave enough to start because i always thought that I'm not good enough and that i would just keep making mistakes while reading and that my voice isn't mature enough n a long list of negativity hhhhh I'm nervously googling about this again after 1:30hr of me recording some chapters of a book i like. i was slapped again with all my previous negative thoughts but then i stumbled upon ur video and believe me when i say that actually You're the only one who gave me a hope that i can actually try and i can make mistakes and it's okay! Cause it can be fixed ...tips of reading that helped me a lot and gave me a space to practice. sorry this was unnecessary long but i just wanted you to know that this means a lot to me and how thankful i am for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks so MUCH to do this FANTASTIC Video! The little secrets of the trade that the Sound engineers never wanted to tell me (editing with audacity) You are an Angel a real blessing! If you ever need me I will be more than glad to help you! I wish I would know you years ago! You are fantastic I applied the tips while I was watching your video all work well! All I need now it to buy the LEVELATOR!
Wow wow wow!!!! Thank you for this in-depth detail. I have yet to come across someone who goes into so much details with editing. God Bless you! P.S. - you have such a soothing voice. Feel like listening to your audio on repeat.
Great video! I've been hesitating on recording my audiobook with Audacity for the past few weeks because many of the other videos on TH-cam make the editing and polishing process seem cumbersome. You just showed me how easy it can be and I thank you so much for this because I am now confident that I can edit my project on my own. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for this! You are a wonderful teacher. You have simplified some things I have been trying to learn and I feel you have helped me grasp them.
Thank you SO much! This video solved all my problems. Every time I changed the RMS, it threw my peak volumes off. You solved my problem with that app! I'm so grateful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I'm late to the game. I found this very informative and useful. I was researching how to get started with auditioning for audio books and stumbled across this video. Glad I did. Still nervous about starting and giving it a shot with my non professional equipment, but this video made it a step easier for me. I thank you. I will browse your channel for more tips for sure.
Thanks so much! Definitely practice with your non professional equipment, but know once you start to audition there's a very good chance that you'll be picked and need a good microphone then!
@@MrsMorrisReads Yeah, the Levelator people are all over the place with making it available to Macs and then taking it away sporadically. So go with AudioCupcake at www.audiocupcake.com/. There’s a free version that’s just like Levelator, and a premium version that’s a one-time payment of $19.95 that saves you some editing steps and time!
This was very helpful and informative, and you have a great voice for narration! For editing out mistakes, I used squeaker, from a dog toy, in the same way that someone else posted in a comment. The thing to remember with using that method is that if you mess up several times on the same word or line, you need to shrink your Wave View so you can see exactly where your last flub was before your clean version starts. I'm going to try your Stop, Open a new track, Rerecord, and Use Shift K for Copying and Pasting and see if that's easier to apply. Something else I'll use is the method you showed for getting the precise amount of Dead Air at the beginning of a recording. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Thank you very much , i am glad i came across your channel , you are one of my very few subscriptions now lol, will indeed be looking forward to more of your content , this video made a major difference , because i see a narrator in action , which is GREAT for someone who is looking to learn from an expert. Regards.
Love this so much! I'm not quite set up enough to do the editing as I go since my comp is in a different location than my sound booth. Love the information about Levelator and the raw file.
A great video, and I improvised it by using an app called BIGVU teleprompter, and following your suggestion, combine with audacity, makes it easy for me. A Big Thank you
Thank you so, so much! Can't tell you how helpful this is. You are a great teacher. The organization of these lessons and delivery is so effective. In my audacity software, under effects, normalize is not available. It's present but gray and I can't click on. Do I need to download a new version or is that only available for paid or do I need to download a plug-in? Thanks again very, very much. Superb work!
Thanks! The normalize button will only work if the area you want to normalize is highlighted. So make sure to highlight the entire track and then you should be able to click the normalize feature
This is such a useful tutorial. Thank you for recording it. In the video, you show us how to control for the peak value of -3dB as required by ACX. ACX also requires a noise floor no higher than -60dB RMS and says that each file should measure between -23dB and -18dB RMS. I've been trying to research what these terms mean, but it's very confusing and as a total newbie to Audacity, I don't know how to determine what my dB is. Do you have any advice for meeting these requirements using Audacity? For instance, can I change the settings in the program to always keep me within these standards? Thanks for any help you can provide.
If you just go to the Effects area on Audacity and set the Normalization to -3dB, everything should be fine. With the right microphone, everything should take care of itself. And everything stays as you last left it. Just try it all out with a very short book and you should be great! Thanks!!!
Thank you! With Audiobooks, they want them to sound like you're telling a story, so they consider breaths to be a normal part of the recording. In fact, ACX says that you're not allowed to use any kind of plugin that would alter the natural sound of your voice like a de-breather plugin. If it's really bad and bothering you, you can manually take out some, but that's a lot of work that isn't really necessary. Just become more aware of your breathing as you grow as a narrator and it should start to sound better as you grow!
Your efforts in putting these guides together are generous and supportive. Thanks, terrific tips. Quick question..when you upload samples to your profile, how do you make sure the one you want to appear first in the list does so? Does the latest one uploaded go to the top or bottom? I hope life is being good to you; ever grateful.
Thanks so much? I'm not really sure how to arrange your samples in a particular order. When I searched my name on ACX, the samples didn't come up in the order I put them on my profile, so the algorithm must do something I don't understand. You may want to write to ACX directly and see if there's something you can control about that. Good luck!
Thank you for this. My question is why when you fast forward after a mistake and start again it is in a separate row? When I try it, the whole recording is on the same line?
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
Bailey, Firstly, you rock so much you boulder! Secondly, if you're ever up for doing another tutorial on Audacity and Levelator, I bet you'd get a ton of views since I can't find videos on it yet. My question is: for long audiobooks. We all know chapters are their own track. How do I level all tracks without having to combine the files in Audacity then export to Levelator? Can I drop in the Chapter 1 track then make Levelator replicate those settings to each track I drop into it thereafter? Or do I *need* to combine and render all chapter tracks in Audacity then drop into Levelator then back to Audacity to re-split them? I hope this makes sense. Thanks, Sadie
Thanks so much!!! Each chapter/track can be put into Levelator separately. While you're recording, just make sure that you keep your microphone volume input level the same and everything will match in the end. Look for the little mic icon and make sure the recoding volume number is the same for every chapter. I personally set mine to 0.50 (about 50% input volume) so that it doesn't record too hot on my end.
Hello, first off, thank you so much for putting this out there, the world needs more people like you who can share their expertise and abundance with others. I'm having a problem. I got the AT2020USB+ microphone as you suggested, set up as sound proof and deadening an environment as I could, and recorded my first audition, but my main problem comes when I try to normalize my maximum amplitude to -3.0 db. After leveling the track and putting it in Audacity, when I try to normalize the maximum amplitude to the ACX recommended level, I lose all of my recording. I did some tests, and I have to be screaming extremely loud into the microphone for anything to be picked up when I normalize the maximum amplitude to that level. Changing my position to the microphone doesn't help, and I'm at a loss as to what to do. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your kind words! Unfortunately, I'm not a tech expert and this is a tough one. I've had tracks normalize in a weird way, but it shouldn't be happening if you've already done the Levelator step. You may want to reach out to an audacity expert to see if they know. There's also a chance that ACX will accept the tracks if you do everything else, but just turn them in Levelated, but not Normalized. Make sure they're at 192 and everything. Try it with very short book just in case it doesn't work!
@@BaileyVarness Thank you for your reply. It turns out, it was just a glitch with the audacity 2.3 version. I downloaded 2.2.2 and everything normalized exactly the way you showed it in your video. The one thing I still can't figure out though is that I notice when you start recording after a mistake that a new track shows up underneath the first track, but in mine, it just keeps recording on the same track. I can still edit it okay, but perhaps I'm missing a setting to make it so that when i stop the recording, a new track underneath the first one shows up automatically? Sorry if this is a complicated question.
@@jonfrazier6827 Try going to Preferences> Recording> and then make sure you have checked the box next to "Always Record on a New Track". See if that works!
Do you have any advice on hearing your voice on a slight delay in your headphones? Is that par for the course? Is there a way not to, so that doesn't distract you from just reading without hearing that? Love your videos! Thank you so much for the simple, easy instructions!
Thanks! I'm not sure why that's happening. I have 3 different microphones that I've played with, and I've never had the delay problem. I'd look up someone who's an actual microphone expert, which unfortunately isn't me. Sorry I'm not more help!
I do want to say that Levelator does work with WIN10. And I did a bunch of research and found the macros for the current version of Audacity, but I like the look of the modified wave form better with Levelator. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference with ACX QA.
Hi! Thank you for this great video series. I have learned so many little details! One question: you showed us how to get the proper number in seconds at the beginning (great tip!) but I didn’t see how you did it at the end and I can’t figure it out! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Thanks! I can't remember if it's in a different video, but you leave 3.50 seconds at the end of a track. Just drag the courser 3.50 seconds or type it in the length section, and then delete the area after it.
You don't mention what you do to create a new track. Does that happen automatically when you resume recording? I'm using version 2.4.2 and it's not automatic in that version of Audacity..
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
This has been one of the most informative series I've seen on TH-cam!! I think I've watched it 2xs. I do have one question, I'm working on a Microsoft Surface and having trouble seeing my script and Audacity together. Whenever I try to scroll my script Audacity drops back to the menu bar. Anybody have any clues!! Or is there another way to keep both windows up?
Thanks! I’m not sure why this is happening. You might consider shrinking your script so that it sits on top of the Audacity area instead of behind it. If it just doesn’t work, you don’t have to have the recording showing. It’s just kind of nice!
Thanks! Background noise is tricky. There's really nothing you can do about it except move to a quieter room or get a soundproofing booth. As for breaths, I will record some silence and insert it over my breaths if they're really bad. There are noise floor plugins you can get to reduce background noise, but ACX doesn't allow them, so it would be a risk to try.
According to their website, the Levelator is no longer being supported and isn't set up for Win 10. Any similar alternatives? Also, I set up my space in a closet, a small table, chair, padding and a microphone. But my computer is outside the closet. I notice that you are making adjustments on the fly. Should I consider putting a monitor and bluetooth mouse into the recording area?
Levelator hasn't been supported for many years now, but it still works fine for almost everyone. I would recommend that you put a monitor, keyboard, and mouse in your recording area because it will make your life a lot easier as you work. Good luck!
@@BaileyVarness Thanks for the advice. I will add levelator and a monitor, keyboard and mouse. It makes good sense. I also found out how to add the RMS and ACX Check plugins for Audacity. Thanks!
@@BaileyVarness I downloaded Levelator but it will not install on my Mac saying it's not supported with 64 bit. It won't allow me to override and install anyway. Is there something comparable or a way to go around it?
Hi Bailey, Just to clarify, you didn't actually go back to the last 'correct' sentence in order to restart, right? You just fast forwarded it and retry at that spot? My other questions are: In regards to the set up with porta-booth plus, I suppose you would place the computer outside of the booth since the space is too small for a computer? Would that then help with the fan noise?
I do go back to do the entire sentence because if you just start at the mistake, it can sound kind of weird. Sentences tend to sound more natural when you start again at the beginning and don't try to Frankenstein them together. Give it a try both ways and see what works best for you. I think with the porta-booths that they are too small to fit a computer inside, so it should just be the microphone in them. And it should help with fan noise!
Very informative and helpful! Thank you! When I export as an MP3 file, my Audacity program gives me the option of saving it as a "Standard" or "Fast". I am assuming it should be standard. Is that cocrrect?
Thanks! 'm just hitting the right arrow button moving the cursor to the end and starting there. If you're still having trouble, look at Audacity's answers here: manual.audacityteam.org/man/recording.html
Thank you for this video. I'm completely new to this and am currently just practicing with a personal project. I like your idea of starting new tracks where you've made a mistake, and then return after you've completed recording to edit out the mistakes...but here's my question, what's the advantage of doing it this way as opposed to deleting the mistake immediately and continuing on to record? (Just a newbie trying to learn the craft!) Thanks for taking time to answer!
You need to make sure the new read sounds natural with what's come before it. If it's already erased, it's hard to know why it sounds weird and you may have to do it over a third time. You can try it to see, but I think you'll find it might sometimes sound like you've got some things put together in a Frankenstein type way. If it works for you to do it the way you mentioned, then awesome! I just think the stair-steps are the most efficient method I've found.
This is an excellent series Bailey! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom here...I've got one question: so by using Levelator we do not have to worry about any other settings in Audacity (outside of "mono" and the choice of our "microphone?"
Thanks! For the most part, Audacity is set to where you need it to be. Levelator is a special tool for ACX recordings to make the sound even out so a listener doesn't have to change the volume while listening. Make sure you normalize to -3.0 db and have 192 kbps when exporting your final mp3.
@@BaileyVarness Hey Bailey...one other question for you. I just read about this: ACX Check plugin Audacity. Is this plugin necessary in the recording process you've described in your videos? Thanks for any enlightenment you might give...
Out of curiosity, what is the benefit of using Levelator versus using the Equalization tool in Audacity? I have created a macro inside of Audacity that works for my voice to do the noise reduction as well as the Equalization and Normalize. It is a much smoother transition. I also use the Dog Clicker technique mentioned below for the editing as it helps me from the extra stop and start when reading and is easy to identify for editing.
So weird. I replied to this, but it disappeared. Let’s try again! If you know how to use macros in Audacity, then you are ahead of the game. I don’t know how to do it, so I teach about Levelator. As long your process is approved by ACX, then great! Also, if clicks work better for you rather than the stair step method I teach, then use that. It’s about making the work most convenient for you. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your efforts to help simplify what can be an intimidating process. Is it necessary to save the file first as a WAV file, then as an mp3 before uploading? Also, can Chris's Compressor be used with Audacity instead of the Levelator? Thanks again.
Levelator can only work with WAV files, so that's why I have you do this step first. It looks like Chris's Compressor is similar to Levelator, so if you use it and ACX accepts your files, then that should be fine.
Hi. Thank you for a great job on the recording tutorial! I have two questions. If you can answer, I will be highly appreciative: 1. Do we not need LAME software? In this tutorial, I haven't seen you use LAME, although, in a previous introductory video you mentioned we would need this software. 2. In other videos of your tutorial series, I have heard a constant hiss (like some white noise) in the background. However, in this tutorial, there was none of that. How did you manage to remove that? Did you use some techniques in audacity? Thanks!
Thanks! LAME is now a part of the new version of Audacity, so you don't need it now! I think there's a hiss in some of my videos because I used the video microphone instead of editing in my AT2020 microphone, so I didn't do anything in Audacity to remove the hiss. I'm just bad at video editing sometimes!
Thanks for all of your info. Your voice is perfect for narration. Quick question, does your manuscript automatically scroll or do you do this manually?
Hey, I am using a Mac and they don’t have levelator for the newer Mac OS, do you know of an alternative? I have been using the ACX check tool from audacity and then using macros to set the levels for ACX but the levelator seems so much simpler. I used it when I was using a windows laptop and it was great, so I am hoping that there is an update for the Mac version or an alternative. Thanks, I appreciate your videos!!
How easily can your mic pick up background noise? How isolated from background noise is the inside of your booth? I just thought about asking cause there’s almost no place inside my house that isn’t 100% quiet from any noise happening outside.
The mic can pretty easily pick up background noise because it's a condenser microphone that's supposed to do that. My booth is great and eliminates most outside noise. It's not completely sound proof, but as long as I have doors and windows closed in my house and don't have central air conditioning running, I have no problem. If you're having a lot of background noise trouble, you might look into getting one of Audio Technica's shotgun microphones because they are made to pick up only the sound that's directly in front of them. Maybe look for someone who can recommend a good shotgun mic because I'm not an expert there!
To say the least my audio probably doesn’t have to be serious cause a lot of my recordings are private and primarily kept to myself cause I honestly don’t like my voice nor do I find it factually fit for any public voice over. And still haven’t moved out yet, I often can’t have my family interfering. On the other hand I always like to try various mics. I currently own cheap USB mics(ATR2100, Samson Go Mic, and two rock band microphones), but I always like working with the quality of more higher end mics past $100-$200 that lately I’ve been borrowing and returning a few mics mainly a Samson Meteor Mic, Blue Spark digital and just recently an AT2020 USB Plus. Done condenser mics can slightly reduce background noise better than others. AT2020 USB Plus seems to have a really wide pick up pattern that I often make sure it’s quiet as possible in the house, still I find audio quality smooth and natural. I guess I like to try different mics and record myself reading some of my favorite books just cause it motivates to work with my voicebox a bit(though by now my voice has fully developed...frankly in the worst in my part, but still I feel need to give my voice the exercise it probably didn’t have as much before). And like to see how different my voice sounds on different mics, for the most part it still sounds the same only different in tone, ends, and clarity. I may lean more on the more expensive mics, but I find my monotone nasally voice to negate getting good sound and tone out of them to their fullest pontential that it always makes me uncertain to upgrade, but as a mic enthusiast try out as many mics as possible as part of some sort of bucket list.
@@acspectator8636 Yeah, the space that you're recording in is more important than the mic itself for quality purposes, so I hope you find the one that's best for you!
Thank you for this! But I’m wondering, maybe I have a different audacity setup? Because when I stop when I make a mistake and press the fast-forward button and then start recording again, it just continues on the same line and doesn’t create a new line below it, such that, like when you went back to correct your first mistake, it created a new line, mine didn’t do that. (I’m pretty sure I have the most recent update.) I’m just curious what I might be missing.
Yeah, the latest version makes you do an extra step. Annoying!!! In Audacity, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording, and then check the box next to "Record on a new track". It should then work for you!
hi you Amazing really I'm so impressed am so shy don't know if I am able to do it or make a mistake but will try it can you advise me before start over?
I recommend starting with a VERY short book, under 1 hour because then if you make any mistakes and have to start over, it's not that much to do again. Just practice with a royalty free book first before you try the short ACX book and see if you enjoy it!
how would you know you would meet ACX standards at this point? Will this always meet ACX standards using the "Levelato"? Suggest sharing ACX check in Audicity...
Levelator evens out all of sounds, and then normalizing it to -3.0db makes it the volume them approve of most. There is an ACX plugin some people like to use at first to check which is here: wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Nyquist_Analyze_Plug-ins#ACX_Check This is why I recommend that you start with a very short book, in case everything isn't perfect the first time. It's not as hard to start over.
I don't think so. Chromebooks are tricky when it comes to apps. This article might offer some alternatives: www.podcastinghacks.com/alternatives-to-levelator/
Hey! I have the AT2020USB+ and I randomly have the audio cutting out while recording. The settings in audacity all look right and the mic is BRAND NEW. Have you had this happen or do you have any tips? TIA!
Oof. I haven't heard of that. There could be a short in the microphone and unfortunately yours is defective because that's not normal. There could also just be a short in the cable going from the mic, which would be an easier fix probably. The third option is that your computer doesn't have enough memory to keep up with the recording and it's missing pieces. Sorry I'm not more help and I hope you're able to figure out the issue!
Hello hope your well. Can you please tell me. Do you read a chapter at a time then edit. At what point do you start editing. Or edit as u go until the book is completed? Anybody ans this please. The editing aspect seems very time consuming also. Would like to know how to best approach it. Thanks
Hey, sorry I thought this had been answered. I edit as I go along. Once I finish a chapter I'll edit it and turn it in so that the rights holder has more time to listen as they come in instead of all at once. Editing is time consuming especially at the beginning, but the more you do it, the faster it goes.
Love your videos... Thank You! I am preparing to create an audio for my book. Question? How are you creating and saving separate Chapters? Is this done as you read or added after reading the entire book.
You should upload them to ACX as you finish them. That way, if you're reading a book for someone else, they can let you know about any changes before you get too far. Good luck with your project!
@@BaileyVarness Thank for your quick response. I'm still having a little difficulty with the "steps" to replace errors, but working on it... I'm using Windows, perhaps there is a difference. (Shift R) ?
@@greytheauthor Yeah, it just takes practice. I think it's the same in Windows. If you put your cursor at the beginning of what you want to copy and then do Shift + K it should copy everything to the end of the track.
Hi there. Thank you so much for your excellent teaching! Question regarding Levelator. Since it is no longer supported by The Connection Network, I'm wondering if you've run into any issues with system compatibility. The last I can see, system requirements were XP, Vista, or 7 for Windows, and OS X 10.4 for Mac. Given that--from what I can tell--Levelator was last maintained in 2012, I'm wondering if it will continue working with the more advanced systems that are out there. Do you (or does anyone else) have any thoughts about this? I'm only asking because I'm just now getting into VO and I'm in the market for a new computer. Wondering what the best thing is for me to get. Thanks!
Thanks! Yeah, Levelator should still be working on PCs for the foreseeable future, but it's probably not going to work on the latest Mac operating systems. Something about they now only support 64 bit applications, or something like that. I have both a Mac and PC, so i don't have any problems, but it could get frustrating for some. There are paid services like Auphonic that do the same thing, but I'm not sure the cost is worth what you'll make in book sales, especially at the beginning. Just get a computer without fan noise, or something with a tower you can keep outside your recording space and you should be all set!
Are you using a Mac? On my PC Win10, when I make the PDF full sized then reduce Audacity, if I then click on the PDF, Audacity drops behind the now active PDF. I had to reduce both in size to make it work.
Thank you! You should record and edit in whatever program gives you a professional track with the ACX specifications followed. You don't have to use Audacity. Audible doesn't have a specific recording software.
Do I understand that there is no need to start the audition with the title, author’s name and my name has the narrator? Also, I have discovered numerous books with no attached script. I messaged the authors, but only heard back from half. Is that the protocol? How do I know if the author maybe in negotiation with another narrator?
Yeah, never read any kind of table of contents in an audition. That's weird that they don't have any kind of script for an audition. I would just move on because if they can't seem to get things right upfront, they may be difficult to work with during the long process
Curious as to why you have to stop, re-record, line it up, overlap....couldn't you just keep reading, repeat the word you messed up, and delete it later from the single track?
Yes you could! However, I find that it's hard to locate your mistakes as easily later when it's all in one long track. Some people snap into the mic because the sound wave makes it stand out more, but I find that this is the easiest way to find and fix mistakes. But you're welcome to do what's easiest for you!
thank you for helping me alot i am new author but i am trying to do my first time auidobook my question is do you start a audibook from the contents or the first chapter. i hope you got the answers
That's weird. I've tried it on both my PC and Mac and I can do it in both places. You could just keep it behind the script if you absolutely had to and just edit out any mouse clicks you hear going back and fourth
Hi Bailey! I'm working on producing an audiobook right now. My first one actually! I submitted my first 15 minutes, however, it did not pass the requirements for the 192kbps. Instead, it came out as 101kbps. Unfortunately, my only options are "Standard, 170-210kpbs" (which is what I initially chose) or "Extreme, 220-260kbps". Any suggestions on how I can get to that 192kbps?
Did you run the original wav file through Levelator and then Normalize it to -3.0db? Make sure those two steps are done and then see if you can get the mp3 to properly get to at least 192kbps. You might just need to go with the Extreme version for saving the files.
@@BaileyVarness Yes I had been doing that but I actually just figured it out! I needed to click "Constant" for it to switch to 192kbps. Woohoo! Thanks! Your videos inspired me and with your step by step process, I was able to accept my first project!
They do have a new version that works for the newer Mac systems. If it's not working for you, there's a program called Audio Cupcake that does the same thing. There's a free and paid version of that.
Help! I used to be able to hear my voice as I was recording on Audacity, but now I don't. Now the only way I can hear it is to click on the green meters at the top of the page, and this makes my voice lag behind, like if there's a slight echo. Do you know what happened? What button I might have pushed to make this happen?
Are you saying you can't hear yourself through your headphones in your microphone as you record? Make sure your microphone is connected properly, the volume is turned up on the mic itself, and that it's registered as the correct recording device in Audacity.
@@kathleenalford7078 Ok, so it sounds like you might have your input and output settings reversed. There's a little microphone icon that shows what is being used for the sound going in. Then, there is a speaker icon to show where the sound will be played back. It looks like you have the speaker exporting to your microphone headphones. Check these settings I mentioned and make sure everything is going and coming where it's supposed to!
I noticed there was no use of EQ or light compression. Is this already set up in your chain, or does ACX want flat audio to complete processing as they want it? Thank You!
I'm not sure if Audacity works on tablets. I don't know if there are any recording software programs that do. I'm sorry that I'm not an expert in that area. Most people who do use an iPad for recording use it as a second monitor for their computer that's out of the booth
I think I have to wait till I get a windows laptop to get a proper version of Audacity. The one I have now keeps freezing on me. I don’t know if it’s my laptop, or the version I downloaded. Are you familiar with wavepad? If so, do you think that’s a good alternative?
Weird, I haven't heard of this being a problem. They just released a good version of Audacity for both Windows and Mac, so if you have the latest version and you're having problems, it might be your computer. Hard to say. I don't know wavepad, but if you have watched tutorials and like it, it might work!
Lol I have another question.I exported my audio as a wav, and tried to drag it to the Levelator, it won’t accept it. Instead of the small red stop signal, there’s this chain looking symbol. Do you know what that means, and why I’m not able to drag it there?
@@BeardofHorrors No idea my friend! You seem to have some weird problems I haven't heard of. There's a new Levelator alternative coming soon called AudioCupcake that might work better for you. You can learn about it here : www.audiocupcake.com/
Voice Work Academy lol yes, I don’t know what’s going on. I prolly just need a new computer. And thank you. I’m definitely gonna keep my eye open for this
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
You are informative and I have seen all your videos multiple times, but I am still having a hard time with the technical specs. I record my audio and the playback is perfect and free of unwanted noises and sounds, but after following your editing steps my audio appears to be louder and there is unwanted noise inside the recording. I have tried recording with and without a sock over my microphone, adjusted the mic volume, recording volume, changed the distance between myself and the microphone, but after all that I am still getting the same results. HOW can I fix this other than buying a new microphone. I do not understand how my audio can record perfectly without editing then when I edit it sounds like I am using a $1 microphone at the mcdonalds drive thru window. The only reason I edit is to meet the ACX requirements if not there would be no reason to.
Voice Work Academy it’s a Logitech usb headset that I bought probably 6 years ago. I don’t think it’s a mic issue because it records audio clear as day. It’s an editing issue and the peaks of my voice while recording, white noise comes out no where AFTER I edit it. Before it’s perfect and clear. I don’t know how to send pictures on TH-cam if not I’d send you a picture of it
@@andrew51723 Ok, so what is happening is that when you record, it’s in a more condensed state. Logitech uses different parts than professional microphones because it makes them cheaper to produce and cheaper for people to purchase with what they’re looking for, which is usually gaming, webinars, etc. On a professional level, the microphone you have contains parts that cause that audible hiss I was talking about that ACX will probably reject. It’s not the editing that’s causing the ambient noise, it was already there but you just couldn’t hear it in its condensed state. Because ACX demands a much higher level of quality in recordings, it’s hard for many popular microphones to pass the quality test once the sound is normalized. I’m sorry, but it sounds like your mic isn’t going to work for ACX. And please know that I don’t get paid by Audio Technica or any microphone company to push their products! I wish yours would work, but it sounds like it probably won’t.
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
Thank you for all the tutorials! I’ve learned a lot. Just one picky thing - you didn’t talk about proof-reading and comparing to your audio. I noticed you said “somebody” instead of “someone”.
Yeah I mess up a lot! It's ideal to fix your work, but sometimes you don't even catch it as I didn't. It's ultimately up to the Rights Holder to decide whether it's worth changing or letting go.
Yup! All books at www.gutenberg.org/ can be recorded by anyone for any reason! They're now in the public domain for anyone to use or publish for themselves.
Recording in mono is just a matter of setting that in Audacity. I don't recommend the Blue Yeti microphone because it tends to have that audible hiss I was talking about, but it may work for you. It's up to the ACX people!
Great job... Now, do you immediately want to fix your mistakes? Would you consider making another video on having like 6-7 mistakes in, let’s say a paragraph. That’s where I think I will get overwhelmed and FREAK THE HELL OUT.
You'll make a ton of mistakes. We all do. I usually finish a chapter and then go back and fix all of the mistakes at that time while I rest my voice. Others like to fix them as they go along. It's a personal preference and you'll figure out what you like to do as you get used to it. Practice on a book you're not going to turn in to figure out your style.
Voice Work with Bailey Varness: You are an absolute GEM! Thank you for your clear tuition, time saving advice and patient approachability. I came upon you by (very) lucky chance and will stay, subscribe and share your channel.
This is the first video I've found that actually goes through the full editing process, including changing settings and normalizing! Thank you so much!
You're very welcome!!!
Rather than stopping and interrupting the flow of the read and expending more time to correct what is inevitable to be a LOT of goof-ups, I purchased a dog training Clik-R for $4 at the local Tractor Supply (similar is available at any number of stores from Walmart to Amazon), and while I am reading, when I stumble on a passage, I stop, give a brief amount of silence, click the clicker, then read the sentence again. When you finish recording that passage, it is trivial to look at the wave-form of the recording and identify the click visually. Then you just delete the mistakes (and clicks), leaving only the corrected parts. Also cannot recommend Waves NS1 enough for killing ambient noise and taking the noise floor way down. Works great in Audacity.
I've done clicks in the past. They are a great option to visually see mistakes in the waveforms. If this system works faster/better for you, then go for it! Thanks for the advice!!!
Yes. I clap so i see the spike in audio and know to edit out the error. Much faster 🙌💕
I can't use a clicker because my dog goes nuts, so I click a pen and I can still see the two small spikes in the waves.
Thanks you so much for mentioning this method.
I tried the method from the video and after several chapters I took several days to even a week or so to edit just one chapter...
I tried improvising by reading everything at once and then editing out the mistakes, but that was still long and tedious cause I had to play each line to see which one had the goof ups.
Now I just recently used your method by clapping my hands(like one reply mentioned) and what then took days can now be done in less than an hour.
no one ever touched on this in depth thanks glad i found this video.
Fantastic! I'm glad you felt the explanations went far enough.
Ditto on ghostfrequency's comment. You just saved me money because after repeatedly trying to figure out what I needed to know to use Audacity for V.O., I always felt overwhelmed by it's complexity. You showed me what I needed to know, without giving me lots of info which is irrelevant to the needs of someone looking at getting into the V.O. business.
They say that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
And here you are.
Thanks.
Exactly my sentiments!
I struck gold finding your TH-cam channel. It has been so informative that I am binge watching all of the series!!
Yay! I'm so glad you found it helpful!
This is gold Bailey. You lay it out simply and beautifully. I'm going back to watch the entire series. Thank you.
Fantastic! I hope it's all helpful to you
I love to read out loud as if someone is listening n i also record while reading. i found out that this actually is a job..i was like wow something i really love to do can become a job for me..I became interested in this 4years now but i was never brave enough to start because i always thought that I'm not good enough and that i would just keep making mistakes while reading and that my voice isn't mature enough n a long list of negativity hhhhh I'm nervously googling about this again after 1:30hr of me recording some chapters of a book i like. i was slapped again with all my previous negative thoughts but then i stumbled upon ur video and believe me when i say that actually You're the only one who gave me a hope that i can actually try and i can make mistakes and it's okay! Cause it can be fixed ...tips of reading that helped me a lot and gave me a space to practice. sorry this was unnecessary long but i just wanted you to know that this means a lot to me and how thankful i am for sharing your knowledge.
Yes! Everyone messes up constantly, so if you love it, just do it!!!
Thanks so MUCH to do this FANTASTIC Video! The little secrets of the trade that the Sound engineers never wanted to tell me (editing with audacity) You are an Angel a real blessing! If you ever need me I will be more than glad to help you! I wish I would know you years ago! You are fantastic I applied the tips while I was watching your video all work well! All I need now it to buy the LEVELATOR!
That is so sweet! Thanks so much!!! And Levelator is a free download, so make sure you don't buy it!
You're a good teacher. This helped me soooo much!
Thanks! So glad I could help!
Wow wow wow!!!! Thank you for this in-depth detail. I have yet to come across someone who goes into so much details with editing. God Bless you! P.S. - you have such a soothing voice. Feel like listening to your audio on repeat.
Thank you so much for so many kind words!!!
Great video! I've been hesitating on recording my audiobook with Audacity for the past few weeks because many of the other videos on TH-cam make the editing and polishing process seem cumbersome. You just showed me how easy it can be and I thank you so much for this because I am now confident that I can edit my project on my own. Thank you!!
Fantastic! Good luck with everything, and thanks!!!
Excellent tutorial! I used the steps you outline to record my book for Audible and it was just accepted for sale. Thank you so much :)
What wonderful news!!! I've very happy for you and hope you enjoy this business!
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for this! You are a wonderful teacher. You have simplified some things I have been trying to learn and I feel you have helped me grasp them.
Thanks so much! So glad you liked it!
Wow! Thank you so much for your help. You can’t even imagine how much you have done for me. God bless you 🙏🏻😊
Thank you so much!!!
That was a seriously excellent walkthrough. What a wealth of knowledge and so clearly explained and delivered. Thankyou so much!
You're very welcome! Thank you!
Thank you...excellent teaching style...and the VOICE...need I say more...xxxooo
Aww! Thank you so much!!!
Thank you SO much! This video solved all my problems. Every time I changed the RMS, it threw my peak volumes off. You solved my problem with that app! I'm so grateful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Fantastic! So glad I could help!!!
Thank you for sharing this! You make it look so easy!
It takes some time, but the more you do it the easier it gets!
I'm late to the game. I found this very informative and useful. I was researching how to get started with auditioning for audio books and stumbled across this video. Glad I did. Still nervous about starting and giving it a shot with my non professional equipment, but this video made it a step easier for me. I thank you. I will browse your channel for more tips for sure.
Thanks so much! Definitely practice with your non professional equipment, but know once you start to audition there's a very good chance that you'll be picked and need a good microphone then!
thank you so much for making this. I'd been trying for weeks to get my levels correct.
You're welcome! I hope you have them figured out now
@@BaileyVarness now that levelator is not longer available for newer versions of MAC, do you have any suggestions for a replacement?
@@MrsMorrisReads Yeah, the Levelator people are all over the place with making it available to Macs and then taking it away sporadically. So go with AudioCupcake at www.audiocupcake.com/. There’s a free version that’s just like Levelator, and a premium version that’s a one-time payment of $19.95 that saves you some editing steps and time!
This was very helpful and informative, and you have a great voice for narration!
For editing out mistakes, I used squeaker, from a dog toy, in the same way that someone else posted in a comment. The thing to remember with using that method is that if you mess up several times on the same word or line, you need to shrink your Wave View so you can see exactly where your last flub was before your clean version starts. I'm going to try your Stop, Open a new track, Rerecord, and Use Shift K for Copying and Pasting and see if that's easier to apply.
Something else I'll use is the method you showed for getting the precise amount of Dead Air at the beginning of a recording.
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Great! Give it a try and use whatever method works best for you. I'm so glad you enjoyed the videos!
Thanks so much for making this series! I’m going to give it a try!
Awesome! You're welcome!
Thank you very much , i am glad i came across your channel , you are one of my very few subscriptions now lol, will indeed be looking forward to more of your content , this video made a major difference , because i see a narrator in action , which is GREAT for someone who is looking to learn from an expert.
Regards.
Fantastic! Thanks so much!!!
Thank you for an excellent video. You just helped me out a ton.
Awesome! Thanks so much
Very awesome. Thank you so much, Bailey. Happy New Year! You deserve it. :)
Thanks so much! Same to you!!!
Love this so much! I'm not quite set up enough to do the editing as I go since my comp is in a different location than my sound booth. Love the information about Levelator and the raw file.
Thanks! I hope it all works out for you!!!
A great video, and I improvised it by using an app called BIGVU teleprompter, and following your suggestion, combine with audacity, makes it easy for me. A Big Thank you
Great idea! I never thought about using a teleprompter. Thanks for sharing!!!
Thans very much for sharing your knowledge you really are a good and generous person, very helpful
Thanks so much!
Thank you so, so much! Can't tell you how helpful this is. You are a great teacher. The organization of these lessons and delivery is so effective.
In my audacity software, under effects, normalize is not available. It's present but gray and I can't click on. Do I need to download a new version or is that only available for paid or do I need to download a plug-in?
Thanks again very, very much. Superb work!
Thanks! The normalize button will only work if the area you want to normalize is highlighted. So make sure to highlight the entire track and then you should be able to click the normalize feature
This is such a useful tutorial. Thank you for recording it. In the video, you show us how to control for the peak value of -3dB as required by ACX. ACX also requires a noise floor no higher than -60dB RMS and says that each file should measure between -23dB and -18dB RMS. I've been trying to research what these terms mean, but it's very confusing and as a total newbie to Audacity, I don't know how to determine what my dB is. Do you have any advice for meeting these requirements using Audacity? For instance, can I change the settings in the program to always keep me within these standards? Thanks for any help you can provide.
If you just go to the Effects area on Audacity and set the Normalization to -3dB, everything should be fine. With the right microphone, everything should take care of itself. And everything stays as you last left it. Just try it all out with a very short book and you should be great! Thanks!!!
Great videos, great work! Just wondering if you have any videos on how to get rid of “breathing” sounds on the audio track? Thanks in advance!
Thank you! With Audiobooks, they want them to sound like you're telling a story, so they consider breaths to be a normal part of the recording. In fact, ACX says that you're not allowed to use any kind of plugin that would alter the natural sound of your voice like a de-breather plugin. If it's really bad and bothering you, you can manually take out some, but that's a lot of work that isn't really necessary. Just become more aware of your breathing as you grow as a narrator and it should start to sound better as you grow!
Your efforts in putting these guides together are generous and supportive. Thanks, terrific tips.
Quick question..when you upload samples to your profile, how do you make sure the one you want to appear first in the list does so? Does the latest one uploaded go to the top or bottom?
I hope life is being good to you; ever grateful.
Thanks so much? I'm not really sure how to arrange your samples in a particular order. When I searched my name on ACX, the samples didn't come up in the order I put them on my profile, so the algorithm must do something I don't understand. You may want to write to ACX directly and see if there's something you can control about that. Good luck!
@@BaileyVarness A bit of a lottery, then. Thank you, I'll check with them 👍
Thank you for this. My question is why when you fast forward after a mistake and start again it is in a separate row? When I try it, the whole recording is on the same line?
I’m having the exact same problem! I have no idea how to make it jump to a new track either after hitting stop, right arrow, and record again. :(
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
Voice Work Academy thank you for your response. I will try it and let you know. :)
Bailey,
Firstly, you rock so much you boulder!
Secondly, if you're ever up for doing another tutorial on Audacity and Levelator, I bet you'd get a ton of views since I can't find videos on it yet.
My question is: for long audiobooks.
We all know chapters are their own track. How do I level all tracks without having to combine the files in Audacity then export to Levelator? Can I drop in the Chapter 1 track then make Levelator replicate those settings to each track I drop into it thereafter? Or do I *need* to combine and render all chapter tracks in Audacity then drop into Levelator then back to Audacity to re-split them? I hope this makes sense.
Thanks,
Sadie
Thanks so much!!! Each chapter/track can be put into Levelator separately. While you're recording, just make sure that you keep your microphone volume input level the same and everything will match in the end. Look for the little mic icon and make sure the recoding volume number is the same for every chapter. I personally set mine to 0.50 (about 50% input volume) so that it doesn't record too hot on my end.
Great video tutorial, thank you! :)
You’re welcome!
Hello, first off, thank you so much for putting this out there, the world needs more people like you who can share their expertise and abundance with others. I'm having a problem. I got the AT2020USB+ microphone as you suggested, set up as sound proof and deadening an environment as I could, and recorded my first audition, but my main problem comes when I try to normalize my maximum amplitude to -3.0 db. After leveling the track and putting it in Audacity, when I try to normalize the maximum amplitude to the ACX recommended level, I lose all of my recording. I did some tests, and I have to be screaming extremely loud into the microphone for anything to be picked up when I normalize the maximum amplitude to that level. Changing my position to the microphone doesn't help, and I'm at a loss as to what to do. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your kind words! Unfortunately, I'm not a tech expert and this is a tough one. I've had tracks normalize in a weird way, but it shouldn't be happening if you've already done the Levelator step. You may want to reach out to an audacity expert to see if they know. There's also a chance that ACX will accept the tracks if you do everything else, but just turn them in Levelated, but not Normalized. Make sure they're at 192 and everything. Try it with very short book just in case it doesn't work!
@@BaileyVarness Thank you for your reply. It turns out, it was just a glitch with the audacity 2.3 version. I downloaded 2.2.2 and everything normalized exactly the way you showed it in your video. The one thing I still can't figure out though is that I notice when you start recording after a mistake that a new track shows up underneath the first track, but in mine, it just keeps recording on the same track. I can still edit it okay, but perhaps I'm missing a setting to make it so that when i stop the recording, a new track underneath the first one shows up automatically? Sorry if this is a complicated question.
@@jonfrazier6827 Try going to Preferences> Recording> and then make sure you have checked the box next to "Always Record on a New Track". See if that works!
I was going to bring up the script on a Tablet and Audacity on my comp.
Great idea! I know narrators who do that method
Do you have any advice on hearing your voice on a slight delay in your headphones? Is that par for the course? Is there a way not to, so that doesn't distract you from just reading without hearing that? Love your videos! Thank you so much for the simple, easy instructions!
Thanks! I'm not sure why that's happening. I have 3 different microphones that I've played with, and I've never had the delay problem. I'd look up someone who's an actual microphone expert, which unfortunately isn't me. Sorry I'm not more help!
I do want to say that Levelator does work with WIN10. And I did a bunch of research and found the macros for the current version of Audacity, but I like the look of the modified wave form better with Levelator. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference with ACX QA.
Cool! Thanks for letting us know.
Hi! Thank you for this great video series. I have learned so many little details! One question: you showed us how to get the proper number in seconds at the beginning (great tip!) but I didn’t see how you did it at the end and I can’t figure it out! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Thanks! I can't remember if it's in a different video, but you leave 3.50 seconds at the end of a track. Just drag the courser 3.50 seconds or type it in the length section, and then delete the area after it.
You don't mention what you do to create a new track. Does that happen automatically when you resume recording? I'm using version 2.4.2 and it's not automatic in that version of Audacity..
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
This has been one of the most informative series I've seen on TH-cam!! I think I've watched it 2xs. I do have one question, I'm working on a Microsoft Surface and having trouble seeing my script and Audacity together. Whenever I try to scroll my script Audacity drops back to the menu bar. Anybody have any clues!! Or is there another way to keep both windows up?
Thanks! I’m not sure why this is happening. You might consider shrinking your script so that it sits on top of the Audacity area instead of behind it. If it just doesn’t work, you don’t have to have the recording showing. It’s just kind of nice!
Hey you've been a great help. How do you get rid of breaths and background noise?
Thanks! Background noise is tricky. There's really nothing you can do about it except move to a quieter room or get a soundproofing booth. As for breaths, I will record some silence and insert it over my breaths if they're really bad. There are noise floor plugins you can get to reduce background noise, but ACX doesn't allow them, so it would be a risk to try.
According to their website, the Levelator is no longer being supported and isn't set up for Win 10. Any similar alternatives? Also, I set up my space in a closet, a small table, chair, padding and a microphone. But my computer is outside the closet. I notice that you are making adjustments on the fly. Should I consider putting a monitor and bluetooth mouse into the recording area?
Levelator hasn't been supported for many years now, but it still works fine for almost everyone. I would recommend that you put a monitor, keyboard, and mouse in your recording area because it will make your life a lot easier as you work. Good luck!
@@BaileyVarness Thanks for the advice. I will add levelator and a monitor, keyboard and mouse. It makes good sense. I also found out how to add the RMS and ACX Check plugins for Audacity. Thanks!
@@BaileyVarness I downloaded Levelator but it will not install on my Mac saying it's not supported with 64 bit. It won't allow me to override and install anyway. Is there something comparable or a way to go around it?
Hi Bailey, Just to clarify, you didn't actually go back to the last 'correct' sentence in order to restart, right? You just fast forwarded it and retry at that spot?
My other questions are: In regards to the set up with porta-booth plus, I suppose you would place the computer outside of the booth since the space is too small for a computer? Would that then help with the fan noise?
I do go back to do the entire sentence because if you just start at the mistake, it can sound kind of weird. Sentences tend to sound more natural when you start again at the beginning and don't try to Frankenstein them together. Give it a try both ways and see what works best for you.
I think with the porta-booths that they are too small to fit a computer inside, so it should just be the microphone in them. And it should help with fan noise!
Very helpful thanks so much! To add silence at the end how do you measure that?
Thanks! At the bottom of Audacity is the area that says Length. Drag your cursor across until the length reads 3.5 seconds and then delete the rest.
Very informative and helpful! Thank you! When I export as an MP3 file, my Audacity program gives me the option of saving it as a "Standard" or "Fast". I am assuming it should be standard. Is that cocrrect?
Yes, you are correct. Go with Standard. And thank you!
Wow! Lots of great information. How are you opening up another audio track every time you make a mistake? I can't seem to figure that one out. Thanks!
Thanks! 'm just hitting the right arrow button moving the cursor to the end and starting there. If you're still having trouble, look at Audacity's answers here: manual.audacityteam.org/man/recording.html
Thank you for this video. I'm completely new to this and am currently just practicing with a personal project. I like your idea of starting new tracks where you've made a mistake, and then return after you've completed recording to edit out the mistakes...but here's my question, what's the advantage of doing it this way as opposed to deleting the mistake immediately and continuing on to record? (Just a newbie trying to learn the craft!) Thanks for taking time to answer!
You need to make sure the new read sounds natural with what's come before it. If it's already erased, it's hard to know why it sounds weird and you may have to do it over a third time. You can try it to see, but I think you'll find it might sometimes sound like you've got some things put together in a Frankenstein type way. If it works for you to do it the way you mentioned, then awesome! I just think the stair-steps are the most efficient method I've found.
This is an excellent series Bailey! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom here...I've got one question: so by using Levelator we do not have to worry about any other settings in Audacity (outside of "mono" and the choice of our "microphone?"
Thanks! For the most part, Audacity is set to where you need it to be. Levelator is a special tool for ACX recordings to make the sound even out so a listener doesn't have to change the volume while listening. Make sure you normalize to -3.0 db and have 192 kbps when exporting your final mp3.
@@BaileyVarness Thanks!
@@BaileyVarness Hey Bailey...one other question for you. I just read about this: ACX Check plugin Audacity. Is this plugin necessary in the recording process you've described in your videos? Thanks for any enlightenment you might give...
Out of curiosity, what is the benefit of using Levelator versus using the Equalization tool in Audacity? I have created a macro inside of Audacity that works for my voice to do the noise reduction as well as the Equalization and Normalize. It is a much smoother transition. I also use the Dog Clicker technique mentioned below for the editing as it helps me from the extra stop and start when reading and is easy to identify for editing.
So weird. I replied to this, but it disappeared. Let’s try again!
If you know how to use macros in Audacity, then you are ahead of the game. I don’t know how to do it, so I teach about Levelator. As long your process is approved by ACX, then great! Also, if clicks work better for you rather than the stair step method I teach, then use that. It’s about making the work most convenient for you. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your efforts to help simplify what can be an intimidating process. Is it necessary to save the file first as a WAV file, then as an mp3 before uploading? Also, can Chris's Compressor be used with Audacity instead of the Levelator? Thanks again.
Levelator can only work with WAV files, so that's why I have you do this step first. It looks like Chris's Compressor is similar to Levelator, so if you use it and ACX accepts your files, then that should be fine.
Great! We’ll see. Thanks so very much.
Awesome!
Thanks!
Hi. Thank you for a great job on the recording tutorial! I have two questions. If you can answer, I will be highly appreciative:
1. Do we not need LAME software? In this tutorial, I haven't seen you use LAME, although, in a previous introductory video you mentioned we would need this software.
2. In other videos of your tutorial series, I have heard a constant hiss (like some white noise) in the background. However, in this tutorial, there was none of that. How did you manage to remove that? Did you use some techniques in audacity?
Thanks!
Thanks! LAME is now a part of the new version of Audacity, so you don't need it now!
I think there's a hiss in some of my videos because I used the video microphone instead of editing in my AT2020 microphone, so I didn't do anything in Audacity to remove the hiss. I'm just bad at video editing sometimes!
Thanks for all of your info. Your voice is perfect for narration. Quick question, does your manuscript automatically scroll or do you do this manually?
Thank you! You manually scroll the manuscript using a mouse or track pad with the way I taught you.
Hey, I am using a Mac and they don’t have levelator for the newer Mac OS, do you know of an alternative? I have been using the ACX check tool from audacity and then using macros to set the levels for ACX but the levelator seems so much simpler. I used it when I was using a windows laptop and it was great, so I am hoping that there is an update for the Mac version or an alternative. Thanks, I appreciate your videos!!
Thanks! There's a program called Audio Cupcake that does the same thing. There's a free and paid version of that.
@@BaileyVarness thank you for replying. you are awesome!! I really appreciate the videos you made, they are so easy to follow!
@@brasskat2004 Thank you so much!!! I'm so glad you liked them
How easily can your mic pick up background noise? How isolated from background noise is the inside of your booth?
I just thought about asking cause there’s almost no place inside my house that isn’t 100% quiet from any noise happening outside.
The mic can pretty easily pick up background noise because it's a condenser microphone that's supposed to do that. My booth is great and eliminates most outside noise. It's not completely sound proof, but as long as I have doors and windows closed in my house and don't have central air conditioning running, I have no problem. If you're having a lot of background noise trouble, you might look into getting one of Audio Technica's shotgun microphones because they are made to pick up only the sound that's directly in front of them. Maybe look for someone who can recommend a good shotgun mic because I'm not an expert there!
To say the least my audio probably doesn’t have to be serious cause a lot of my recordings are private and primarily kept to myself cause I honestly don’t like my voice nor do I find it factually fit for any public voice over. And still haven’t moved out yet, I often can’t have my family interfering.
On the other hand I always like to try various mics. I currently own cheap USB mics(ATR2100, Samson Go Mic, and two rock band microphones), but I always like working with the quality of more higher end mics past $100-$200 that lately I’ve been borrowing and returning a few mics mainly a Samson Meteor Mic, Blue Spark digital and just recently an AT2020 USB Plus.
Done condenser mics can slightly reduce background noise better than others.
AT2020 USB Plus seems to have a really wide pick up pattern that I often make sure it’s quiet as possible in the house, still I find audio quality smooth and natural.
I guess I like to try different mics and record myself reading some of my favorite books just cause it motivates to work with my voicebox a bit(though by now my voice has fully developed...frankly in the worst in my part, but still I feel need to give my voice the exercise it probably didn’t have as much before). And like to see how different my voice sounds on different mics, for the most part it still sounds the same only different in tone, ends, and clarity.
I may lean more on the more expensive mics, but I find my monotone nasally voice to negate getting good sound and tone out of them to their fullest pontential that it always makes me uncertain to upgrade, but as a mic enthusiast try out as many mics as possible as part of some sort of bucket list.
@@acspectator8636 Yeah, the space that you're recording in is more important than the mic itself for quality purposes, so I hope you find the one that's best for you!
Thank you for this! But I’m wondering, maybe I have a different audacity setup? Because when I stop when I make a mistake and press the fast-forward button and then start recording again, it just continues on the same line and doesn’t create a new line below it, such that, like when you went back to correct your first mistake, it created a new line, mine didn’t do that. (I’m pretty sure I have the most recent update.) I’m just curious what I might be missing.
Yeah, the latest version makes you do an extra step. Annoying!!! In Audacity, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording, and then check the box next to "Record on a new track". It should then work for you!
Voice Work Academy Thank you so much! I feel like it’s these little irritating things that keep me from getting anywhere! 😂💀
@@MichaelSheppard You got this! Just push through the crazy stuff and you'll be fine!
hi you Amazing really I'm so impressed am so shy don't know if I am able to do it or make a mistake but will try it can you advise me before start over?
I recommend starting with a VERY short book, under 1 hour because then if you make any mistakes and have to start over, it's not that much to do again. Just practice with a royalty free book first before you try the short ACX book and see if you enjoy it!
how would you know you would meet ACX standards at this point? Will this always meet ACX standards using the "Levelato"? Suggest sharing ACX check in Audicity...
Levelator evens out all of sounds, and then normalizing it to -3.0db makes it the volume them approve of most. There is an ACX plugin some people like to use at first to check which is here:
wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Nyquist_Analyze_Plug-ins#ACX_Check
This is why I recommend that you start with a very short book, in case everything isn't perfect the first time. It's not as hard to start over.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Is there a version of Leveator I can get on my Cromebook?
I don't think so. Chromebooks are tricky when it comes to apps. This article might offer some alternatives: www.podcastinghacks.com/alternatives-to-levelator/
Thanks a lot for this video.
You're very welcome!
Hey! I have the AT2020USB+ and I randomly have the audio cutting out while recording. The settings in audacity all look right and the mic is BRAND NEW. Have you had this happen or do you have any tips? TIA!
Oof. I haven't heard of that. There could be a short in the microphone and unfortunately yours is defective because that's not normal. There could also just be a short in the cable going from the mic, which would be an easier fix probably. The third option is that your computer doesn't have enough memory to keep up with the recording and it's missing pieces. Sorry I'm not more help and I hope you're able to figure out the issue!
Hello hope your well. Can you please tell me. Do you read a chapter at a time then edit. At what point do you start editing. Or edit as u go until the book is completed? Anybody ans this please. The editing aspect seems very time consuming also. Would like to know how to best approach it. Thanks
Hey, sorry I thought this had been answered. I edit as I go along. Once I finish a chapter I'll edit it and turn it in so that the rights holder has more time to listen as they come in instead of all at once. Editing is time consuming especially at the beginning, but the more you do it, the faster it goes.
Love your videos... Thank You! I am preparing to create an audio for my book.
Question?
How are you creating and saving separate Chapters? Is this done as you read or added after reading the entire book.
You should upload them to ACX as you finish them. That way, if you're reading a book for someone else, they can let you know about any changes before you get too far. Good luck with your project!
@@BaileyVarness Thank for your quick response. I'm still having a little difficulty with the "steps" to replace errors, but working on it... I'm using Windows, perhaps there is a difference. (Shift R) ?
@@greytheauthor Yeah, it just takes practice. I think it's the same in Windows. If you put your cursor at the beginning of what you want to copy and then do Shift + K it should copy everything to the end of the track.
Hi there. Thank you so much for your excellent teaching! Question regarding Levelator. Since it is no longer supported by The Connection Network, I'm wondering if you've run into any issues with system compatibility. The last I can see, system requirements were XP, Vista, or 7 for Windows, and OS X 10.4 for Mac. Given that--from what I can tell--Levelator was last maintained in 2012, I'm wondering if it will continue working with the more advanced systems that are out there. Do you (or does anyone else) have any thoughts about this? I'm only asking because I'm just now getting into VO and I'm in the market for a new computer. Wondering what the best thing is for me to get. Thanks!
Thanks! Yeah, Levelator should still be working on PCs for the foreseeable future, but it's probably not going to work on the latest Mac operating systems. Something about they now only support 64 bit applications, or something like that. I have both a Mac and PC, so i don't have any problems, but it could get frustrating for some. There are paid services like Auphonic that do the same thing, but I'm not sure the cost is worth what you'll make in book sales, especially at the beginning. Just get a computer without fan noise, or something with a tower you can keep outside your recording space and you should be all set!
@@BaileyVarness thank you!
You are a hero
Aww! Thanks!!!
I appreciate your time. I didn't normalize or export properly. Thank you.
Oh good! I'm so glad you figured it out. The editing can be the hardest part
Are you using a Mac? On my PC Win10, when I make the PDF full sized then reduce Audacity, if I then click on the PDF, Audacity drops behind the now active PDF. I had to reduce both in size to make it work.
Weird! Yes, I am using a Mac. Sound like you got it figured out. Should work pretty much the same otherwise I hope. Thanks for letting me know!
Is it possible to record into Cool Edit Pro...then upload? Or do I have to use Audible's recording program? Thanks by the way....great tutorials!!
Thank you! You should record and edit in whatever program gives you a professional track with the ACX specifications followed. You don't have to use Audacity. Audible doesn't have a specific recording software.
Do I understand that there is no need to start the audition with the title, author’s name and my name has the narrator? Also, I have discovered numerous books with no attached script. I messaged the authors, but only heard back from half. Is that the protocol? How do I know if the author maybe in negotiation with another narrator?
Yeah, never read any kind of table of contents in an audition. That's weird that they don't have any kind of script for an audition. I would just move on because if they can't seem to get things right upfront, they may be difficult to work with during the long process
Curious as to why you have to stop, re-record, line it up, overlap....couldn't you just keep reading, repeat the word you messed up, and delete it later from the single track?
Yes you could! However, I find that it's hard to locate your mistakes as easily later when it's all in one long track. Some people snap into the mic because the sound wave makes it stand out more, but I find that this is the easiest way to find and fix mistakes. But you're welcome to do what's easiest for you!
Voice Work Academy Thanks for your reply! Makes sense! And thanks for these great videos!
thank you for helping me alot i am new author but i am trying to do my first time auidobook my question is do you start a audibook from the contents or the first chapter. i hope you got the answers
Thanks! You start with the first chapter. You never read the table of contents for an audiobook.
For some reaaon, I was unable to shrink Audacity and set the script up to scroll.
That's weird. I've tried it on both my PC and Mac and I can do it in both places. You could just keep it behind the script if you absolutely had to and just edit out any mouse clicks you hear going back and fourth
Hi Bailey! I'm working on producing an audiobook right now. My first one actually! I submitted my first 15 minutes, however, it did not pass the requirements for the 192kbps. Instead, it came out as 101kbps. Unfortunately, my only options are "Standard, 170-210kpbs" (which is what I initially chose) or "Extreme, 220-260kbps". Any suggestions on how I can get to that 192kbps?
Did you run the original wav file through Levelator and then Normalize it to -3.0db? Make sure those two steps are done and then see if you can get the mp3 to properly get to at least 192kbps. You might just need to go with the Extreme version for saving the files.
@@BaileyVarness Yes I had been doing that but I actually just figured it out! I needed to click "Constant" for it to switch to 192kbps. Woohoo! Thanks! Your videos inspired me and with your step by step process, I was able to accept my first project!
Fantastic! And thanks for letting us know about the fix. It will help in the future!
Have you found a replacement for Levelator to work on Mac Ventura? 2022
They do have a new version that works for the newer Mac systems. If it's not working for you, there's a program called Audio Cupcake that does the same thing. There's a free and paid version of that.
@@BaileyVarness Thank you so much!!!
super thanks so much!
Thank you!
What gain setting/recording volume level would you recommend on Audacity? Does the microphone you’re using also have a knob to adjust gain?
I don't have that option on the mic I use. This is a question for an audio person much more advanced that me!
Help! I used to be able to hear my voice as I was recording on Audacity, but now I don't. Now the only way I can hear it is to click on the green meters at the top of the page, and this makes my voice lag behind, like if there's a slight echo. Do you know what happened? What button I might have pushed to make this happen?
Are you saying you can't hear yourself through your headphones in your microphone as you record? Make sure your microphone is connected properly, the volume is turned up on the mic itself, and that it's registered as the correct recording device in Audacity.
@@BaileyVarness I can hear my recording through the headphone when I play it back, but I can't hear my voice through the headphone as I record.
@@kathleenalford7078 Ok, so it sounds like you might have your input and output settings reversed. There's a little microphone icon that shows what is being used for the sound going in. Then, there is a speaker icon to show where the sound will be played back. It looks like you have the speaker exporting to your microphone headphones. Check these settings I mentioned and make sure everything is going and coming where it's supposed to!
How am I now finding this? exactly what I've been looking for
Yay! I love to hear it!
I noticed there was no use of EQ or light compression. Is this already set up in your chain, or does ACX want flat audio to complete processing as they want it?
Thank You!
I don't know. I'm not a sound expert, I only know the very basics that I was taught to get my ACX work up and running.
Voice Work Academy Thank You!
How would you record auditions if you have a iPad tablet
I'm not sure if Audacity works on tablets. I don't know if there are any recording software programs that do. I'm sorry that I'm not an expert in that area. Most people who do use an iPad for recording use it as a second monitor for their computer that's out of the booth
I think I have to wait till I get a windows laptop to get a proper version of Audacity. The one I have now keeps freezing on me. I don’t know if it’s my laptop, or the version I downloaded. Are you familiar with wavepad? If so, do you think that’s a good alternative?
Weird, I haven't heard of this being a problem. They just released a good version of Audacity for both Windows and Mac, so if you have the latest version and you're having problems, it might be your computer. Hard to say. I don't know wavepad, but if you have watched tutorials and like it, it might work!
Voice Work Academy okay, thank you
Lol I have another question.I exported my audio as a wav, and tried to drag it to the Levelator, it won’t accept it. Instead of the small red stop signal, there’s this chain looking symbol. Do you know what that means, and why I’m not able to drag it there?
@@BeardofHorrors No idea my friend! You seem to have some weird problems I haven't heard of. There's a new Levelator alternative coming soon called AudioCupcake that might work better for you. You can learn about it here : www.audiocupcake.com/
Voice Work Academy lol yes, I don’t know what’s going on. I prolly just need a new computer. And thank you. I’m definitely gonna keep my eye open for this
What setting makes it record on multiple lines?
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
You are informative and I have seen all your videos multiple times, but I am still having a hard time with the technical specs. I record my audio and the playback is perfect and free of unwanted noises and sounds, but after following your editing steps my audio appears to be louder and there is unwanted noise inside the recording. I have tried recording with and without a sock over my microphone, adjusted the mic volume, recording volume, changed the distance between myself and the microphone, but after all that I am still getting the same results.
HOW can I fix this other than buying a new microphone. I do not understand how my audio can record perfectly without editing then when I edit it sounds like I am using a $1 microphone at the mcdonalds drive thru window. The only reason I edit is to meet the ACX requirements if not there would be no reason to.
What kind of microphone are you using?
Voice Work Academy it’s a Logitech usb headset that I bought probably 6 years ago. I don’t think it’s a mic issue because it records audio clear as day. It’s an editing issue and the peaks of my voice while recording, white noise comes out no where AFTER I edit it. Before it’s perfect and clear. I don’t know how to send pictures on TH-cam if not I’d send you a picture of it
@@andrew51723 Ok, so what is happening is that when you record, it’s in a more condensed state. Logitech uses different parts than professional microphones because it makes them cheaper to produce and cheaper for people to purchase with what they’re looking for, which is usually gaming, webinars, etc. On a professional level, the microphone you have contains parts that cause that audible hiss I was talking about that ACX will probably reject. It’s not the editing that’s causing the ambient noise, it was already there but you just couldn’t hear it in its condensed state. Because ACX demands a much higher level of quality in recordings, it’s hard for many popular microphones to pass the quality test once the sound is normalized. I’m sorry, but it sounds like your mic isn’t going to work for ACX. And please know that I don’t get paid by Audio Technica or any microphone company to push their products! I wish yours would work, but it sounds like it probably won’t.
I don't understand how it's making a new track every time she starts over. I have to manually do that. Did I miss something?
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
I'm confused did I miss something? Mine doesn't automatically appear on a new track when I stop it.
If you’re using the newest version of Audacity (a version later than 2.2.1), the stair-step method I teach sometimes isn’t automatic. To fix this, go to Edit > Preferences > Recording > Then check the box next to “Record on a New Track”. This should fix it!
Hi Bailey. I've downloaded Audacity 2.3.0. It doesn't show the graphs. What version do you use?
Never mind. I figured it out. Peace
I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by "Graphs". What are you referring to?
Thank you for all the tutorials! I’ve learned a lot. Just one picky thing - you didn’t talk about proof-reading and comparing to your audio. I noticed you said “somebody” instead of “someone”.
Yeah I mess up a lot! It's ideal to fix your work, but sometimes you don't even catch it as I didn't. It's ultimately up to the Rights Holder to decide whether it's worth changing or letting go.
Can anyone pick up any public domain book from Gutenberg & record it? Exactly how does that work?
Yup! All books at www.gutenberg.org/ can be recorded by anyone for any reason! They're now in the public domain for anyone to use or publish for themselves.
Thanks.
You're very welcome
Can we record in mono using a Blue Yeti microphone?
Recording in mono is just a matter of setting that in Audacity. I don't recommend the Blue Yeti microphone because it tends to have that audible hiss I was talking about, but it may work for you. It's up to the ACX people!
Thanks madamoiselle
You're very welcome!
When it comes to mistakes, I use the dog clicker method. That works so much faster for me
Great! Efficiency is the name of the game. Whatever works best for you
Great job... Now, do you immediately want to fix your mistakes? Would you consider making another video on having like 6-7 mistakes in, let’s say a paragraph. That’s where I think I will get overwhelmed and FREAK THE HELL OUT.
You'll make a ton of mistakes. We all do. I usually finish a chapter and then go back and fix all of the mistakes at that time while I rest my voice. Others like to fix them as they go along. It's a personal preference and you'll figure out what you like to do as you get used to it. Practice on a book you're not going to turn in to figure out your style.
Voice Work with Bailey Varness: You are an absolute GEM! Thank you for your clear tuition, time saving advice and patient approachability. I came upon you by (very) lucky chance and will stay, subscribe and share your channel.
i dont know why? but i love you so much
HA! Thank you (I think!)
I don't think there is a Levelator for Android.
I'm not sure if there is. This guy lists some Levelator alternatives, but they may cost money: www.podcastinghacks.com/alternatives-to-levelator/
Is audiobook narrator job available in India?
Please help me with some information
I think I remember someone saying something is now available in India. I would write to ACX directly to see what's available in your area.
@@BaileyVarness Thank you.
That book you were reading sounded pretty interesting, something i would read lol. Not that I read. Reading is for nerds.
HA! Then I'm a professional nerd! And listening to books is for cool folks ;)
You should record for Rachel Maddow. You sound just like her.
HA! I've never heard that one before! She's awesome. I totally should!!!